The MetNet mission to Mars is based on a new type of semi-hard landing vehicle called MetNet Lander (MNL). The scope of the MetNet Mission is eventually to deploy several tens of MNLs on the Martian surface. The MNL will carry a versatile science payload focused on the atmospheric science of Mars.

The basic ideas of MetNet were cast by the FMI-team already in late 1980s. The concept was nurtured over a decade, and eventually the MetNet development work started in the year 2000.

The first step in the MetNet Mission is to have a Mars MetNet Precursor Mission (MMPM) with a few MNLs deployed to Mars.